Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area

ABOUT THIS PLACE

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages the area in cooperation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which bought the land in pieces between 1990 and 1997. Higher ground carries pinelands and oak scrub. Lower down there are floodplain forests and four spring-fed creeks that feed the lake. More than eight miles of trail are shared with bicycles, and another eighteen miles are open to horses and to walkers. Jones Creek Trail is the one road open to vehicles outside hunting season, and it leads to a horse stable near the campground. The area is open year round except during the special archery and spring turkey seasons, when hunters have it. Fishing is allowed all year with a Florida license, and the county boat ramp gives access to the lake for paddling and small boats. Picnic pavilions and camping are on site. Wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, wild hogs, armadillos, hawks, turtles and wading birds are all common here, and the area is a listed stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail